Regional

8:24 am

Fri May 3, 2013

Four Lawmakers Express Reservations About Carruthers

Four Las Cruces state lawmakers say they have "serious reservations" about former Republican Gov. Garrey Carruthers, who's up for the New Mexico State University presidency.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Democratic Reps. Phillip Archuleta, Nate Cote, Bill McCamley and Jeff Steinborn wrote to the newspaper saying they're leery of Carruthers' work in the 1990s for a tobacco-backed group.

Steinborn also suggested Carruthers "isn't convinced of climate change." Carruthers didn't take a position on the issue when asked last Monday and wasn't available for comment to the paper.

NMSU Board of Regents chair Mike Cheney says he wishes the legislators had commented earlier in the process. Regents are expected to reveal their pick on Monday.